Aquatic therapy, also know as pool therapy, is one of the latest alternative medical treatment, which is performed in water. Aquatic therapy consists of various exercises which are specifically designed to enhance, restore and maintain the patients functional abilities. These days aquatic therapy is being used to treat variety of medical conditions which can be acute, transient or chronic.

Water has healing powers and aquatic therapy uses the physical properties of water for treating various ailments. Aquatic therapy helps a great deal to rehabilitate the patients after an injury or chronic illness to a great extent.

It helps to avoid the amount of weight placed on the joints by exercise outside the water. The exercises performed in water prove to be much more beneficial as the pull of gravity on the body is not as strong as on land. Movement and functional activity in water is much more comfortable and easy as compared to exercising on land.

Benefits of aquatic therapy

Exercising in water is very beneficial as water supports the body and helps to reduce joint stress Water provides resistance and helps immensely to improve the patients mobility, balance and coordination Aquatic therapy helps to improve muscle strengths and tones the body. Water helps to relax the body, decreases swelling and also reduces stress Aquatic therapy aids in increasing cardiovascular functions Water therapy help to increase circulation and strength, endurance too.

What makes Aquatic therapy better than land based therapies?

Aquatic therapy consists of components which make it much more beneficial and better than land based therapies.

These components are:

Buoyancy - Buoyancy allows to move more easily and also helps to decrease the stress on muscles, joints, and bones. Water therapy works better as it decreases the gravitational forces placed on weak limbs that are unable to bear weight.

Heat - Aquatic therapy is performed in a heated pool. The warm water relaxes the muscles and makes the movements easier too.

Resistance - The resistance in the water helps to improve the balance and increases the muscular strength.

Aquatic therapy treatments

Aquatic therapy is regarded to be successful for ailments like back problems, knee injuries, ankle injuries and strokes. It is also proved beneficial for stress disorders, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome and arthritis. Aquatic therapy is also used as a pain relief method in pregnancy where in the delivery takes place in a water pool or water tub. Aquatic therapy also helps the pregnant women to fight against various pregnancy ailments. It is also used to treat obesity.

Aquatic therapy is very useful for people of all age groups and is indeed a great alternative medicinal treatment which not only cures various ailments, but also helps the patients to refresh, feel light and relax.